National Testing Agency (NTA) has published CSIR NET Life Science December 2025 provisional answer key for the exam conducted on December 18, 2025, on its official website. The answer key has been released along with the recorded responses and question papers, allowing candidates to verify their answers. Applicants who are not satisfied with the provisional key can raise objections by paying a non-refundable fee of ₹200 per question. The challenge window is open from December 30, 2025, to January 1, 2026, up to 11:00 PM.
Download CSIR NET Life Science December 2025 Answer Key Notice PDF
Raise Objection Against CSIR NET Life Science Answer Key 2025 (Link Active)
Table of Contents
CSIR NET Life Science June is a national-level exam in India conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) twice a year to test candidates’ knowledge in various topics of biology, such as genetics, molecular biology, ecology, and physiology. The exam is mainly for those who wish to become Junior Research Fellows (JRF) or university lecturers in life science subjects. Candidates who qualify can pursue research or teaching careers in life science fields at recognised institutions.
| Important Links | |
|---|---|
| CSIR NET Life Science June Application 2026 | TBA |
| CSIR NET Life Science June Notification 2026 | TBA |
| CSIR NET Life Science June Website | csirnet.nta.nic.in |
CSIR NET Life Science 2026 Notification for the June session will be released soon on its official website. It will contain important details such as the application start and end dates, exam schedule, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and syllabus for the Life Sciences subject. The notification outlines the qualification requirements, age limits for Junior Research Fellowship, and the structure of the computer-based test, which includes sections on General Aptitude, subject-based multiple-choice questions, and advanced application-based questions.
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Number of Questions | 145 |
| Exam Sections | Part A (General Aptitude), Part B & C (Subject Knowledge & Higher-Order Analytical) |
| Marks per Correct Answer | Part A & B: 2 marks, Part C: 4 marks |
| Negative Marking | 25% for each wrong answer |
| Medium of Exam | English and Hindi |
| Official Website | csirnet.nta.nic.in |
The table below shows the important dates of CSIR NET Life Science June 2026:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 Notification Release | TBA |
| CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 Application Begins | TBA |
| CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 Application Ends | TBA |
| Last Date for CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 Application Payment | TBA |
| CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 Correction Window | TBA |
| CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 Admit Card | TBA |
| CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 Exam Date | TBA |
| CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 Provisional Answer Key | TBA |
| CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 Result | TBA |
The eligibility criteria for CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 examination outlined by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and CSIR. These criteria cover academic qualifications, age limits, and special relaxations for different categories of candidates.
Master’s Degree Holders
Result Awaited Candidates
Ph.D. Holders: Candidates who completed their Master’s degree on or before 19 September 1991 are given a 5% relaxation in marks (from 55% to 50%).
Bachelor’s Degree Candidates
Foreign Degrees and Diplomas: Candidates holding degrees or diplomas from foreign universities must verify their equivalence with Indian Master’s degrees from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi.
For Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
For Assistant Professor and Ph.D. Admission: There is no upper age limit for applying under these categories.
CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 application process will be completely online and is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Candidates must carefully follow the guidelines to ensure their application is accepted without errors.
Step 1: Registration
Step 2: Fill the Application Form
Step 3: Payment of Fees
Step 4: Upload Documents
| Category | Application Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| General | 1150 |
| General-EWS / OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | 325 |
CSIR NET Life Science June exam is designed to test a candidate’s subject knowledge, research aptitude, and analytical ability. The exam is conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode and consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
Part A: General Aptitude
Part B: Subject-related Questions
Part C: Higher Order Questions
| Part | Total Questions | Questions to Attempt | Marks for Each Correct Answer | Negative Marking | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A (General Aptitude) | 20 | 15 | 2 | -0.5 | 30 |
| Part B (Subject-related – Life Sciences) | 50 | 35 | 2 | -0.5 | 70 |
| Part C (Higher order & analytical questions in Life Sciences) | 75 | 25 | 4 | -1 | 100 |
| Total | 145 | 75 | – | – | 200 |
CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 syllabus is extensive and covers all major areas of modern biology, ranging from molecular interactions and cellular organization to ecology, evolution, and applied biology. It includes 13 broad units such as biomolecules, cell communication, developmental biology, plant and animal physiology, inheritance, diversity of life forms, and research methods. The syllabus is designed to test both conceptual understanding and analytical skills, making it essential for candidates to study core principles as well as their applications in advanced research.
Download Detailed CSIR NET Life Science June Syllabus 2026 PDF
| Topic | Book Title | Author/Publication |
|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude | CSIR NET Paper I | Arihant Publication |
| General Aptitude Theory and Practice | Ram Pandey | |
| CSIR NET General Aptitude - A New Outlook | Christy Varghese | |
| Biochemistry and Metabolism | Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry | Nelson and Cox |
| Biochemistry: International Edition | Stryer, Berg and Tymoczko | |
| Principles of Biochemistry | Voet | |
| Plant Biochemistry | Walter | |
| Cell and Molecular Biology | Cell and Molecular Biology: Concepts and Experiments | Gerald Karp |
| Molecular Cell Biology | Lodish | |
| Cell And Molecular Biology / 8th Edition | Robertis De | |
| Molecular Biology of the Gene | James D. Watson | |
| Immunology | Kuby Immunology, 7th Edition | Owen, Punt, Stanford |
| Essential Immunology | Ivan M. Roitt | |
| Immunology (Schaum’s series) | Pinchuk | |
| Immunology (Instant notes) | Lydyard | |
| Microbiology | Microbiology | Prescott |
| Brock Biology of Microorganisms | Madigan | |
| Developmental Biology | Developmental Biology | Scott F. Gilbert |
| Molecular Cell Biology | Lodish | |
| System Physiology - Plant | Plant Physiology | Taiz and Zeiger |
| Plant Physiology | Ross and Salisbury | |
| Introductory Plant Biology | Stern | |
| System Physiology - Animal | Ganong’s Review | Medical Physiology |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology | Graaff | |
| Animal Biology (Instant Notes) | Jurd | |
| Bioinformatics | Bioinformatics | Baevanis & Oullette |
| Introduction to Bioinformatics | Lesk | |
| Bioinformatics (Instant Notes) | Hodgman | |
| Ecology | Ecology | Odum |
| Elements of Ecology | Smith & Smith | |
| Ecology: Principles And Applications | J.L Chapman and M.J Reiss | |
| Genetics: A Conceptual Approach | Benjamin A. Pierce | |
| Evolution and Behavior | Evolution | Strickberger |
| The Evolution Handbook | Vance Ferrell | |
| Theory of Evolution | Dawkins & Maynard | |
| Biotechnology | Biotechnology | B D Singh |
| Genomes | T. A. Brown | |
| Principles of Fermentation Technology | Stanbury | |
| Molecular Biology and Recombinant DNA Methods | Principles of Gene Manipulation and Genomics | S.B. Primrose and R.M. Twyman |
| Principles and Techniques of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | Wilson and Walker | |
| Biophysical Chemistry (Principles and Techniques) | Upadhyay |
CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 admit card will be released on the official CSIR NET website soon. Candidates need to use their application number and date of birth to access and print the admit card. It is essential to carry the printed admit card along with a valid photo ID to the exam center on the day of the exam. The admit card is a mandatory document for entry into the exam hall, and no physical copies are sent by post or email. Candidates should ensure they download and keep the admit card safe well before the exam date.
CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 result PDF will be released by National Testing Agency (NTA) on the official CSIR NET website. Here are the detailed steps to download CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 result PDF:
CSIR NET Life Science June cut off for 2025 was officially released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on September 4, 2026. This cut off marks the minimum score candidates need to qualify for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professor/Lectureship, and PhD admissions in Indian universities.
| Category | UR (%) | EWS (%) | OBC (%) | SC (%) | ST (%) | PwD (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellowship | 51.50 | 44.00 | 43.75 | 37.25 | 35.75 | 25.00 |
| Eligibility for Assistant Professor | 46.350 | 39.60 | 39.375 | 33.525 | 32.175 | 25.00 |
| Admission to Ph.D only | 38.25 | 33.00 | 27.50 | 25.00 | 25.00 | 25.00 |
Download CSIR NET Cut Off 2025 PDF
| Category | UR (%) | EWS (%) | OBC (%) | SC (%) | ST (%) | PwD (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JRF | 99.03 | 96.34 | 96.63 | 92.18 | 89.61 | 74.53 |
| Assistant Professor | 97.92 | 93.68 | 94.28 | 88.29 | 85.04 | 74.53 |
| Ph.D. | 92.56 | 88.69 | 88.69 | 75.73 | 74.53 | 74.53 |
The candidates who clear CSIR NET Life Science exam can join any of the following organisations. Here are some of the organisations that offer job opportunities to candidates who clear CSIR NET exam in Life Science.
The major differences between CSIR NET and GATE exam are discussed in the table below.
| CSIR NET | GATE |
|---|---|
| CSIR NET is a national-level test conducted to check the eligibility of candidates for the JRF or the Assistant Professor post across Indian universities. | GATE is a national-level entrance test conducted to check the eligibility of candidates to get admission to the post-graduate courses in the various IITs in India. |
| The exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency(NTA) on behalf of CSIR. | The exam is conducted on behalf of the National Coordination Board. |
| The questions in the exam are of Multiple-Choice type. | The questions in the exam are Multiple-Choice Questions, Multiple Select Questions, and Numerical Answer Type Questions. |
| The exam is conducted for 5 subjects. | The exam is conducted for 27 subjects |
| The number of questions in the paper is between 55 to 75. | The number of questions in the paper is 65 |
| The exam is conducted twice a year. | The exam is conducted once a year. |
| The validity of the NET-JRF certificate is 2 years. | The validity of the GATE-JRF certificate is 3 years. |
| The stipend of JRF candidates through CSIR NET is INR 31,000 per month for the first two years after which it is increased to INR 35,000 per month. | The stipend for JRF candidates through GATE and pursuing post-graduation is INR 12,400 per month. |
Ques: What is the mode of CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 exam?
Ans: CSIR NET Life Science June exam will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode with multiple-choice questions.
Ques: What is the duration of CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 exam?
Ans: The total duration of the exam is 3 hours (180 minutes) without any break.
Ques: How many questions are asked in CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 exam?
Ans: There will be 145 questions in total, but candidates need to attempt only 75 questions for evaluation.
Ques: Is there negative marking in CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 exam?
Ans: Yes, negative marking applies in all parts. Incorrect answers will deduct 25% marks of the question’s value.
Ques: Can candidates in the final year of their degree apply for CSIR NET Life Science June 2026?
Ans: Yes, candidates in the final year of their Master’s degree or 4-year Bachelor’s degree can apply, but they must complete their degree within the given time after results.
Ques: What is the upper age limit for CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 JRF exam?
Ans: The maximum age limit for JRF is 30 years. Reserved category candidates get relaxation as per rules.
Ques: Is there any age limit for CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 Assistant Professor or Ph.D. admissions?
Ans: No, there is no upper age limit for Assistant Professor or Ph.D. category in CSIR NET Life Science June 2026.
Ques: How many times can a candidate attempt CSIR NET Life Science June 2026 exam?
Ans: There is no restriction on the number of attempts. Candidates can appear as many times as they meet the eligibility criteria.
Ques: What is the validity period of CSIR NET Life Science June JRF certificate?
Ans: The JRF award letter is valid for 2 years from the date of issue, during which candidates must activate their fellowship by registering for Ph.D. or research.
Ques: Can I apply for both JRF and Assistant Professor in CSIR NET Life Science June 2026?
Ans: Yes, candidates are automatically considered for both. If they do not qualify for JRF but meet the cut-off for Assistant Professor, they are still eligible for that role.
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